Chicago natives are going to have to pay more for Netflix pretty soon as part of a new tax program.

Chicago officials in the Finance Department ruled last month to start taxing residents for online services like Netflix, according to the Chicago Tribune. The new rules are part of the "city amusement tax" and the "city personal property lease transaction tax". Essentially, residents who partake in streaming services like Netflix or Spotify will have to be an additional 9 percent tax.

"The amusement tax applies to charges paid for the privilege to witness, view or participate in an amusement," the ruling states. "This includes not only charges paid for the privilege to witness, view or participate in amusements in person but also charges paid for the privilege to witness, view or participate in amusements that are delivered electronically."

Taylor Schilling Reveals Why She Doesn't Watch 'Orange Is the New Black'

However, this does not apply to those who are downloading music or movies online from iTunes or Amazon, just payable subscriptions to streaming sites.

These sites will have to start taxing its customers by Sept. 1, according to the ruling.

As far as Netflix's take on the matter, they are not actively opposed to Chicago's approach.

"Jurisdictions around the world, including the US, are trying to figure out ways to tax online services," a Netflix rep told the Verge. "This is one approach."

The tax program is expected to rake it $12 million for the struggling city by the end of the year.

It remains to be seen what kind of impact this will have on Chicago residents though.

Tags
Netflix, Television, Movies